Entertainment News

ACM allowing fans to help choose new artist nominees & winner

Fans are once again getting a say in naming the Academy of Country Music's New Artist of the Year.

This year's semi-finalists were determined by the ACM professional members, who've pared the category down to eight hopefuls. Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, and Thomas Rhett are in the running, along with Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, and the group Parmalee.

In a first round of voting, ballots from the fans will be counted along with those from ACM professional members to select the three nominees. A second round of fan and professional member voting will choose the winner.

Fans can cast their first round ballots at www.VoteACM.com and www.GACTV.com/ACM from January 21st at noon Eastern until February 4th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. The final nominees will be revealed a few weeks later, with the second round of voting starting on March 24th. Votes for the winner can only be cast at VoteACM.com.

The winner will be announced during the 49th annual ACM Awards, which will air on CBS on April 6th.